Post:        Charlie is quite correct, there are many beautiful views around here, I live in Blackrod with great views of the western Pennines and Winter Hill.  If you get one of the most clear days, it is possible to see the Isle of Man, but that is a very occasional day indeed.  From Winter Hill I have with binoculars watched the Isle of Man ferry sailing out of Heysham harbour in the past.

Saturday, June 6                                              Walton le Dale

Ben arrived late this afternoon, so we could not get far out or with the club, and as an afterthought decided to visit the long neglected Unicorn Inn at Walton le Dale, by the main road.  There is nothing of real interest on the route through Chorley, but a very bad five miles of setts from Horwich.  I was glad to see, however, that clear of ‘Chorlah’ the road has been resurfaced.  We got down to Walton at 5pm, meeting several Boltonians there, and spending a pleasant hour with them.

Restarting, we retraced the road to Bamber Bridge, branching therefrom on to Wigan Road.  This passes through some quite pleasant scenery, and was quiet too, so we carried on right along it through Euxton.  Near here we got a fine surprise view of the sea and the River Ribble estuary, with Blackpool Tower and the Wheel beyond.  When one looks for a view in that direction, one usually searches for Blackpool Tower – it is a landmark.  We kept along this road until Standish was reached where there was ample warning of the approach of industrialism, and we dodged down a byway which leads between the towns and gives glimpses of quite good scenery.  We pottered, stopping here to have a smoke, there to watch a youth rowing a racing skiff along a canal, and walking most of the little hills.

Entering a park, we got a fine view across the smoky towns and agricultural parts to the Welsh mountains across the Dee estuary.  At Aspull, we struck tramcar lines and collieries, but managed to dodge them, and came by a lane route to Red Rock.  Here again was another very clear view of the swelling moors behind Horwich, Rivington Pike, Winter Hill and the wooded Lever Park.  Then the main road brought us through Westhoughton to Chequerbent and so home into the smoke and grime of Lancashire again.  I only hope tomorrow is as clear, for if so it will be a ‘stormer’.                                                              46 miles